Mr. Speaker, I say to my colleagues that it has been 144 days of a senseless and a pointless war. The President says he is there to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon. In his first term, the President ripped up the JCPOA, as the gentlewoman from Washington has indicated. I was in Congress at that time when the JCPOA was implemented. The United States was not by itself. It was a well-thought-out, diplomatic document that was produced that was clear. It wasn't something that was done by individuals who heretofore only was involved in real estate.
2026 MidtermsSolid SeatD+50Stable$1.0M raised
Gregory Meeks
Representative · New York · Democrat
Gregory Meeks
House Floor
Recent comments in the House
Mr. Speaker, the hardest part of this job for me for all the time that I have been in Congress, all the bills that we have to vote on-- when I put my hand up and swore that I would abide by and protect the Constitution of the United States of America, that Constitution also says that Congress determines when we send our women and men into war. I have had to vote on that several times previously in this Congress. It is a responsibility that is tough, to make that determination of when our men and women are sent to war.
Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill for the State Department and foreign operations. Last year, the Trump administration illegally dismantled USAID and fired over 1,300 State Department employees. {time} 1300 It rescinded $13 billion for critical humanitarian and development programs, and now House Republicans want to approve legislation that amounts to a 20 percent cut from 2025 enacted levels, locking in those dangerous Trump cuts. It isn't penny-wise, and it certainly is pound-foolish.
Biography
Gregory Meeks began his career as a civil rights attorney, advocating for underserved communities in New York. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for New York’s 5th District in 1998, he has focused on economic development, financial oversight, and international relations. As Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Meeks has shaped U.S. diplomacy and led bipartisan efforts to support global human rights. He also played a key role in securing infrastructure investments for his district. Meeks serves with a collaborative approach, emphasizing practical solutions that address both local needs and national interests.
Education
- J.D., Howard University School of Law, Washington, DC1978
- B.A. in History, Adelphi University, Garden City, NY1975
Professional History
U.S. Representative
1997-PresentRepresenting New York's 5th district
Member, New York State Assembly
1992–97Supervising Judge, New York State Workers’ Compensation Board
1985–92Deputy Counsel, New York State Investigation Commission
1983–85Assistant Specialist Narcotics Prosecutor, New York City
1981–83Assistant Attorney, Queens District Attorney’s Office
1978–83Lawyer
Policy Focus
International Affairs62%
Finance and Financial Sector12%
Congress5%
Emergency Management4%
Notable Legislation
Key legislative actions from Gregory Meeks's record in Congress.
Export-Import Bank Reauthorization
Led efforts to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank, supporting U.S. exports and jobs.
Chairmanship of House Foreign Affairs Committee
Became the first African American Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in 2021.
Hurricane Sandy Recovery Funding
Secured federal funding for New York communities affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Affordable Housing Advocacy
Helped secure funding for affordable housing initiatives in Queens and New York City.
Committee Assignments
View details →- House Committee on Foreign AffairsRanking Member
- House Committee on Financial Services
Rep. Gregory Meeks FAQ
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